Every so often, basketball has a method of reminding us that it’s actually not that essential. Connecticut Solar coach Stephanie White’s end-of-season press convention was one such occasion. White, who been the subject of rumors that she could possibly be leaving the group after two years on the helm, fought again tears as she addressed the media on Thursday morning.
The press convention got here every week after the remainder of the Solar’s end-of-season interviews, and after days of hypothesis relating to whether or not the delay was associated to White probably leaving Connecticut. That wasn’t the case; as an alternative, she revealed she was coping with a “powerful” household matter, and whereas she didn’t specify what it was, her tone and demeanor indicated it was very severe.
“At the beginning, I simply wish to thanks,” White stated to a cohort of reporters on Zoom. “I’ve had a household emergency. That’s why I needed to postpone and [I’m] nonetheless coping with it now. So, it’s been a it’s been a tricky time, however I knew that I wanted to get in entrance of you guys and wrap up, definitely, our season. I recognize the persistence as I proceed to navigate this case.”
In a flash, the slew of basketball-related questions journalists had queued up for the veteran head coach appeared unimportant.
White fought again tears the whole press convention, her feelings visibly intensifying every time she referenced the household scenario she was within the midst of. The Chicago Sky, Los Angeles Sparks, and Atlanta Dream all lately dismissed their head coaches, and when requested about whether or not she was in dialog with any of these franchises, she didn’t get into any element.
“My precedence is my household proper now, actually — simply being right here for my household, getting via this,” White stated. “That’s my precedence.”
It was Stephanie White’s first time addressing reporters for the reason that evening the Solar fell to the Minnesota Lynx in Sport 5 of the WNBA semifinals. And, her problem getting via the media questions within the digital end-of-season interview stood in sharp distinction with that Sport 5 postgame press convention, during which the understandably upset head coach had on a regular basis and persistence to reply tough questions. After Sport 5, she mirrored in-depth about what went flawed tactically, heaped reward on her gamers — and even admitted she was trying ahead to watching the Lynx-Liberty Finals match-up.
White doubles as an ESPN broadcaster overlaying professional and faculty basketball through the WNBA offseason, and her unwavering professionalism on the podium — even after losses and adversity — stood out all season. Holding the end-of-season presser regardless of what she was going via in her private life was knowledgeable determination made by a consummate skilled, however it additionally served as a heartbreaking reminder that on the finish of the day, basketball is only a sport. And no matter Stephanie White was coping with behind the scenes is much extra vital.
Although it was clearly a problem, White did tackle plenty of extra substantive questions associated to the way forward for the group. Of be aware, this offseason, All-Stars DeWanna Bonner, Brionna Jones, and Alyssa Thomas are all unrestricted free brokers, whereas DiJonai Carrington is restricted. Requested how a lot of a precedence it’s to maintain that veteran core collectively, she was candid about the opportunity of the crew splitting up.
“I definitely assume it’s one thing that that you really want, however we additionally perceive the realities of of this enterprise,” White stated. “It is a core group that’s been collectively for a very long time… yearly a crew goes to be totally different.”
“We’re grateful for the time that we’ve had, and we’ll take the following steps at any time when they current themselves.”
She additionally praised the play of backup level guard Veronica Burton. “I like her IQ, I like how onerous she works. I like how coachable she is,” she stated. “We knew that she was going to present us what we would have liked on the defensive finish of the ground, and he or she did that.”
White mirrored on her crew’s resilience all through the season, mentioning Tiffany Mitchell’s sepsis episode — one other tough reminder for the Solar this 12 months that life was way more essential than basketball. Mitchell, one of many extra veteran gamers on the roster, missed the second half of the season recovering from sepsis with six stomach abscesses, a situation that threatened her life.
“Watching Tiff battle and undergo her well being scare and scenario, there have been plenty of ups and downs,” White stated. “However the resilience of our group to place ourselves to be proper there on the finish of the 12 months, to be in rivalry for what our final objective was, to get to the Finals.”
It’s nonetheless not sure whether or not Stephanie White might be again in Connecticut subsequent season, or whether or not the Thomas-Bonner-Jones will re-sign or go elsewhere in free company. It’s sometimes the case that end-of-season press conferences present some context, whereas leaving the door open for a slew of prospects, which White’s definitely did.
However, what stood out most was the reminder that on the finish of the day, basketball is only a sport, and no matter White has been coping with since her crew’s elimination is much extra vital. Fittingly, practically each reporter started their query by sending Stephanie White and her household ideas and prayers. Right here’s to hoping that every part, and everybody, finally ends up okay.